Better Casting through Science with S.A. Sharkskin Fly Lines
(continued)
Casting and Management
cont'd: After a few days fishing in the Eastern Sierras I found I was able
to cast farther with the Sharkskin line but a second benefit was positioning of
very short casts in streams. Short casts are able to be made with less effort
making it easy to position dry flies precisely. When it comes to handling the
same micro patterns that improve casting also change the meniscus force by
trapping air in between the actual texture resulting in a significant
improvement in resistance of the line versus the water. The result is a line
that floats better and is easier to pick up when mending and roll casting.
There is a welded streamlined loop
for easy connections
Durability: The
Sharkskin line handled great in our tests, and after going back to traditional
lines I started to feel like they actually felt stiff. The micro-patterns in the
Sharkskin line actually increase the number of “flex points” throughout the line
allowing it to become more supple. They do not however decrease durability and I
had no problems with strength throughout the field tests. I did however
encounter another attribute of the line, it did pick up more residue from the
water whenever there was a lot of vegetation or debris on the surface. The line
is just as easy to clean however and standard fly line cleaner is all it takes
to bring the Sharkskin back to top form.
The line handles well but we
notice it is a bit louder going through guides
Price & Applications:
So what does all this performance cost? Around 100 dollars per spool, making
the Sharkskin among the most expensive fly lines on the market. At roughly
30-60% more expensive than traditional premium fly lines the Sharkskin will
likely be adopted by serious fly fishermen first, but the benefits actually make
it a great choice for the complete spectrum of anglers, all the way down to
beginners.
The line feels different through
guides but casts extremely well
The question is whether or
not more novice fly fishermen will want to shell out the extra money for the
higher end line. During our field tests I got three other beginner fly fisherman
to cast two different lines of the same weight on the same Powell test rod. The
first line was a traditional SA GPX line, the second was our Sharkskin test
line. After a few normal casts, mends, and roll casts two out of the three
anglers felt like the Sharkskin line was easier to cast and pick off the water,
the third didn’t feel like the casted any better at his skill level but agreed
that the line seemed to float better making it easy to pick the line up to make
mends. Afterwards all three said they would be willing to pay the extra money to
fish with the Sharkskin line.
Subtle adjustments and pickups are
made easier with superior flotation
Scientific Anglers
currently has a number of application specific Sharkskin series lines including
Ultimate Trout Taper, Saltwater, Steelhead, Magnum, GPX, and even shooting
lines. The company continues to add updated versions and even though only one
floating taper is currently available it does cover a wide range of
applications. If you are tossing dry flies or drifting nymphs this line is
exceptional.
Ratings:
Scientific Anglers Sharkskin Fly Line (Ultimate Trout Taper)
Ratings (?/10)
Construction/Quality
Excellent construction that we have come to expect from Scientific Anglers
9
Performance
Though the line felt strange at first it proved to be all that SA claimed it to be. The lien casts better, floats better, is easier to handle, and reduces lien flash with a matte finish
9.5
Price
Yikes! 99 dollars for a fly line! This premium fly line does cost significantly more than most fly lines but it is worth the money for the complete spectrum of anglers as long as you go fly fishing more than just a few times a year
5
Features
Plenty of features that all come from a unique micro textured surface design
8
Design (Ergonomics)
Easier to handle and a pleasure to fish with, the only problems with the line is it does get dirty faster than some other lines, but is just as easy to clean
8
Application
SA has Sharkskin lines for most applications and will continue to expand the series
9
Total Score
8.08
Ratings Key:Ratings Key:1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable!
(For a detailed explanation of the ratings go here)
Pluses and Minuses:
Plus Minus
J Easy to make longer casts
L Expensive for a fly line
J Superior flotation
L Get's dirtier than slick fly lines
J Superior handling
J Durability surprisingly good
J Reduced line flash (more stealth)
J Good for wide range of applications
Sharkskin lines are now my line of
choice for targeting rainbows, is it worth the extra cost? Absolutely.
Conclusion:
Scientific Anglers leads the pack when it comes to technology and the Sharkskin
line is quite a breakthrough in the category. Unlike other lines that simply
alter characteristics of traditional design the S.A. Shrakskin line turns to
nature for a different take on fly lines altogether. After fishing with the
Sharkskin line in the Eastern Sierras it has quickly become my fly line of
choice, and I employ it whether I’m looking to make better roll casts when
targeting steelhead or looking to reduce line flash when fishing for
backcountry browns. Though expensive the Sharkskin line is worth the extra money
for not just accomplished fly casters but also beginners looking for an easier
line to fish. Reduced friction, improved casting, better line management, and
improved flotation are just some of the factors that make the Scientific
Angler’s Sharkskin line the first and only fly line ever to win our Editors
Choice Award.
backcountry browns. Though expensive the Sharkskin line is worth the extra money
for not just accomplished fly casters but also beginners looking for an easier
line to fish. Reduced friction, improved casting, better line management, and
improved flotation are just some of the factors that make the Scientific
Angler’s Sharkskin line the first and only fly line ever to win our Editors
Choice Award. 
